Island ride was hell on wheels

HE didn't think it would be as tough as it was – but they don’t call it the Hell of the Marianas for nothing.

Maryborough cyclist Malcolm Rudolph travelled to Saipan, one of the islands of Mariana, to compete in the invitational 100km road cycling event, which is called the toughest race in Micronesia.

Rudolph finished second in the event, while Joon Yong Seo, from South Korea, finished first.

It was the first time Rudolph had competed in the event and he found the first 60km of the course was all uphill.

The cyclists complete a loop around the island to complete the ride and Rudolph said some of the sights were amazing, with plenty of beautiful beaches, rainforest, cliffs and lookouts along the way.

But the beautiful surrounds didn’t distract him from the difficulty of the event.

“It was a tough test – it was harder than I thought it would be,” he said.

Rudolph said it was good to take part in an event that he wouldn’t normally get the chance to take part in.

He travelled to the Australian Institute of Sport in Adelaide this week, along with fellow Fraser Coast cyclists, Jordan Kerby and Jay McCarthy. Rudolph won’t get much time off over the Christmas period as he steps up his training for the National Road Championships, which will be held in Ballarat next month.

He will compete in the road cycling event on January 8.

He said it was tough not to get a break but he was looking forward to competing.